HIJK

Those with a discerning ear and an eye for the unique have a lot to gain from the inventions of 'art pop' trio HIJK. After six years of collaboration, dedication, and perspiration, HIJK have proven themselves seasoned musicians with a host of non-traditional musical credentials. Their approach to songwriting maintains a self-reflective honesty that is both refreshing and engaging. They have a habit of turning conventional techniques upside down, and their ability to capture a glossy big-studio sound defies a mere 3-piece group.

HIJK is known in their hometown of Oakland, CA and up and down the West Coast for "thriving on...the 3 D's: discipline, diligence, and attention to detail." (West Coast Performer) Mike Mahony and Dave Tsui met and formed the band - originally titled Hijack The Disco - on the east coast in 2000. Eager to reach a new audience, Mike and Dave decided to move the band to the Bay Area in the fall of 2002 but lost their drummer along the way.

It wasn't until Mike met Trevor Wencl at a Jucifer/Drunk Horse show that both their current line-up and distinctive new sound were born. Mike remembers that moment fondly: "I went to the show because I was following a girl I thought was cute. But she was meeting her boyfriend so I went outside to feel like an idiot by myself and BAM, Trevor and I met. I gave him an EP and he called Dave and I back.... about 3 months later".

And now, after 6 years as Hijack The Disco, the boys not only have a new record but a new name.

Due to the growing popularity of Panic! At the Disco and confusion about the similarities between the two names, the time had come to begin the next chapter. After much discussion, HIJK (spelled out when spoken) seemed the obvious choice. Not only does it visually recall their past as "Hijack", but it's simple: the alphabet is a foundation for language, language is the foundation for lyrics, and everyone knows how to sing "aych-eye-jay-kay."

HIJK's latest effort is The Pen and The Letter - a 16-month recording process backed by the goodwill of a small group of engineers and musicians that believed in them. The Pen and The Letter was engineered and produced by Enrique Gonzalez Muller (Kronos Quartet, Les Claypool, MC Hammer, Tina Turner) - but don't let that scare you. It was recorded and mixed for free at legendary The Plant Studios in Sausalito, CA. Mike spent 2 years working there, and was given 35 days of recording time in lieu of a paycheck for mopping floors, cleaning up dog vomit, and delivering sushi to the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Spearhead, and Third Eye Blind.

In The Pen and The Letter, HIJK's distinctive angular rhythms, double-barbed melodies, and dueling vocals are now accompanied by singing-saws, trumpets, scissors, violas, and a gin and tonic with ice. It's a BIG record that captures the A to Z of HIJK's live performance and highlights the unique interplay between Dave (vocals/guitar), Mike (vocals, bass, keys), and Trevor (drums/percussion).

"The Pen and The Letter is made up of dark, yet poppy indie rock. It's melodic and catchy...full of sudden twists and turns that make the listening experience somewhat addictive." - Nascent

HIJK has recently shared the stage with: Straylight Run, Cloud Cult, Cold War Kids, Heavenly States, Birdmonster, Hard-Fi, Diamond Nights, White Rose Movement, Scissors For Lefty, The Velvet Teen, Sabrosa Purr, Lemon Sun, Aveo, Kissing Tigers, Oneida, Cex, The Mendoza Line, and Rainer Maria amongst others.